Marketing Books – Update

﻿Recently I seem to have had a lot of people asking me about marketing books. Not only are there more and more authors turning to self-publishing, having found the traditional route did not suit them, for whatever reason, but also authors who are traditionally published have been discovering that a considerable burden of marketing their books nowadays falls on their own shoulders.

Unfortunately, I have been ill for three weeks this month, and I am not quite fully recovered, so I am afraid this blog will have to be short and sweet!

If you look through my earlier blogs, by going to the blog page on my website and scrolling down to July 2015 and October 2016, you will find two previous ones on marketing books, which explain what I was doing at each of those points in the course of my self-publishing career. However, things move rapidly in this fast changing world of modern publishing. Not only that, but each author’s own career changes and develops as more books are published. What worked for me in the past is not necessarily relevant now.

My number one bit of advice on marketing books is ‘Write the next one!’ And if possible, ‘Write a series!’

It is very difficult to succeed as the author of a single book, unless you are taken up by a large commercial publisher who is prepared to pour a great deal of money into a marketing campaign. It has been done, and no doubt it will be done again, but publishers are less and less likely to make this kind of effort unless the author is some kind of celebrity, so that they can hook the campaign to a name.

For the self-published author of one book, this is not going to happen.

Certainly such an author can use some of the marketing tools I mentioned in my earlier blogs, but nothing matters as much as writing more books. If readers enjoy your first book, where do they go afterwards? If no more books by the same author are available, they will go elsewhere, and the author has lost a potential audience.

When I started writing and publishing, I wrote only standalone books. My first three books (originally published by Random House) were The Anniversary, The Travellers, and A Running Tide, all standalone, contemporary novels. When I moved into historical fiction, in order of writing, they were The Testament of Mariam, This Rough Ocean, The Secret World of Christoval Alvarez, and Flood. Again, all standalones.

The first two of these remain (and will continue to remain) as standalones. Then I was given some very sound advice by the well-know editor, Rosie de Courcy. She had read The Secret World of Christoval Alvarez and liked it, but felt that I tried to cover too much in one book (about ten years). She told me that the original book would do better expanded into a series, which would allow me to explore the story in far more detail. This is what I have done, and she was quite right. Working on the series has allowed me to do much more, developing the characters and their world in the sort of detail which was impossible in a single volume, and creating entirely new story lines. There are nine books in the Christoval Alvarez series now, with more planned.

The fenland novel, Flood, was also originally intended to be a one-off, but I have found the characters constantly talking to me, so I took them forward in Betrayal. When I can delve into the necessary research, there will be a third in the series.

And what does this have to do with marketing? Very simple! The books market themselves. Once a reader really enjoys the first book in a series, he or she will immediately go looking for the next, and the next . . . I know the feeling. I do it myself.

Therefore, when Nicholas Elyot sprang to life, I knew from the start that Oxford Medieval Mysteries would be a series. There are quite a few medieval mystery series around, many of which lay the emphasis on the mystery. The books in the Oxford series each contain a mystery, but I wanted to do something a bit different, exploring the day-to-day lives of ordinary people in the fourteenth century, so the stories are more than straightforward mysteries, rather novels which contain a mystery element, along with much else.

Nowadays, I do very little marketing, letting the books speak for themselves. I have found that once Amazon discovers that your books are beginning to sell, they will do a lot of marketing for you. They regularly send out emails about my books to readers who have read one or more of them, or have read books set in a similar period. They do promotions for me – Kindle Daily Deal, Kindle Monthly Deal, Kindle Seasonal Deal. As a result, I no longer do Countdown promotions or other special offers myself, which I did in the early days. I am no longer on any book promotion sites. About the only thing I do is some very modest Amazon ads under ‘sponsored products’ on the US Amazon site. These cost little and seem to be quite effective. In addition, you can monitor just how effective, which is not always the case with other forms of advertising. (Try Googling ‘Amazon Ads’ – there’s plenty of guidance.)

I do have a New Release Mailing List (see the Sign Up page on my website). Whenever I publish a new book or audiobook, an email is sent out to subscribers first of all. I also announce it on Facebook and Twitter.

That really is it! Apart from anything else, it allows me more time for writing. So my advice to those just starting out on this exciting but chancy career – explore lots of options in the early days, then hone them down as you proceed, keeping only what is effective and appropriate. Above all, concentrate on the writing rather than the marketing. For those who are more experienced, have you given thought to whether you are doing the right level of marketing for the current stage in your writing career? And for those who simply want to read – enjoy it! But keep your eyes open for the next book to enhance your life.

And to finish, a tiny bit of marketing. Illness has held me up, but The Stonemason’s Tale will be coming out very shortly!

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By the way, I’ve had endless troubles with WordPress when writing this blog, so I hope it reaches you intact!
Till next time,
Ann

Your post arrived intact! Hoping you are feeling much better and soon, perfect.

Thanks for an informative and engaging post! I loved the image of your characters talking to you, sparking the next story. It reminds me of an anecdote about JRR Tolkien, who once wrote to his son that a man (Boromir?) had wandered out of the woods, and if he didn’t stop talking about himself soon, he’d end up in the appendix!

Thanks, Mary, I’m a lot better, though still not eating much (unintentional crash diet!). Yes, the characters do talk to me. Mariam virtually dictated her story. Loved the Tolkien anecdote. I hadn’t heard that one, but it sounds very true to the man.

Yes, please get well soon, Ann, I can’t wait to learn more about Nicholas Elyot and Christoval Alvarez! You’re absolutely right about readers who enjoy the books looking out for the next one with no need for extra marketing. It’s such a pleasure to find a writer that you thoroughly enjoy, and you know that you’ll enjoy the next book too. Also I’m planning to re-read all your books when I can find time – they definitely deserve more than one reading. Thank you so much!

Ann, I have read all your series books (Medieval Mysteries and Dr Alvarez) as well as Rough Oceans and Miriam and enjoyed them all! So while waiting for the next instalment featuring Nicholas Elyot decided to read Flood, which I have just started. Hope you stay well and continue to send out these interesting “posts”. Anne

Thank you, Anne! A dedicated reader indeed! Flood and Betrayal are closely based on actual events of the time. I was intrigued when I discovered that the women of the Fens fought alongside the men to save their land from greedy exploiters. Some were injured or even killed. Mercy is based on them. I’m nearly recovered, though not eating much.

Ann, I have always loved history and in recent years read a lot of historical “fiction” by many different authors following a varied sweep of history. I am in awe of the amount of research you need to do to produce quality writing that brings the times, situations, landscapes and characters to life so authentically. Being Australian (albeit with Irish heritage) the “European” history we can connect with covers only approximately 200 yrs. I have travelled to UK and Europe several times and find now that my appreciation/understanding of certain locations has been enriched by the wonderful historical books I’ve read, including yours. Many thanks for bringing history alive!

In fact I love doing the research! There is nothing more satisfying than digging up some unexpected gem! Sometimes you have incredible luck. When I was writing Voyage to Muscovy, I found some historical facts about the year in which it was set which fitted perfectly with my story. In The Play’s the Thing, the two plays involved were first performed in the year I was writing about. In my latest, I discovered the two north country families who were just right . . . How lucky is that?

Very good advice in your post, which, viscerally, I know to be true. I have gone from published to self-published and have three books out now. It’s a hard slog at the start, but you are right that to sell more you need to publish more. It is starting to work in my case, but I am a bit of a slow writer and need to focus on that rather than on marketing activities that are probably time-wasting.

It’s a tricky balancing act, Vanessa. If you think some of your marketing activities are time-wasting, prune them! And only allow yourself a fixed amount of time each day or week on what’s left. It’s very easy to get side-tracked, and mentally it’s generally easier than the really hard work of writing the next book!

Hello Rosalind, apologies – I’ve only just got back here and have been terribly sorry to learn that Ann sadly died recently. What a loss.

I also hail from Kent but now live in France – and we pronounce it Cowch-man. The family originally came from Dartford, but I was brought up near Sevenoaks. My husband and I lived in Birmingham for a number of years (I have retained my maiden name).

Nice to hear from another Couchman – I expect we are distantly related.

I’m happy to know there will soon be another Nicholas book.
I have read all your books and short stories except the modern ones. They are all on my Kindle and available for re- reading. I’m on my second trip through the Christopher Alvarez series. ( Do YOU know how Kit will resolve her secret?)
And thank you for being generous enough to allow lending.

Thank you, Ruth. Despite being traditionally published, I bet you have to do a lot of your own marketing. Think what a lot of money it saves the publisher! I hope your new book is doing brilliantly. I’m well on the mend now, but it’s been an unpleasant few weeks – I hate being ill!!!

The Oxford series is especially important to me because of the proximity of my family roots to the area. I’ve been to many of the areas you mention in this series, and will be back in October to roam the area for the second time. My Buzby ancestors were buried (bronze plaque on floor) in the ancient church (or its graveyard) of St. Michael in Great Tew!

Gosh, why were they burned? The wrong religion at the wrong time? I know Great Tew, and used to know the church. When I was an undergraduate, the then vicar used to have a crowd of us over on some Sunday evenings for supper and literary discussions – Dylan Thomas featured largely, as he was mad on Thomas! He and his wife came to our wedding, and we still have the cut glass vase they gave us. Small world!

LOL! Buried, not burned–in early 1500s. Later the family split when my branch went to America as Quakers. When I come to the area in October I will be looking for the house (still stands, privately owned) where my Buzbys went to meeting. I believe it’s in Milton-under-Wychewood. I surely wish I knew how the split came to be. When I read your books it makes me dream about how times must have been for my ancestors. It gives a person pause to think that one’s ancestors made it through the many waves of Plague that went through Europe. Why did certain ones survive while others perished? I’m a history buff, and my elderly mom is even more so–her birthday is coming up and I’m getting her the set of Oxford Mysteries for her…and when she’d done I bet my 14 year-old niece will enjoy them as well! What made you want to write about Oxfordshire?

Ho, ho! Small laptop screen, even smaller type face, late at night, tired eyes… I’m glad they weren’t burned!! Yes, how fragile the thread of life is, and when one of the plagues struck it seemed incomprehensible why some survived and others did not. When you are in Oxfordshire, have a look at the church in Swinbrook – the amazing Fettiplace tombs. The Swan pub there is a great place to eat. I fell in love with Oxford when I was about nine, won a scholarship to Somerville College there, met my husband who was at Hertford College (successor to Hart Hall), and we married there when we were still students. I’ve long thought about the early days of the university, and what the town was like then. Nicholas just walked into my head, and we haven’t looked back!

Just finished TROUBADOUR’S TALE and eagerly awaiting STONEMASON’S TALE. Wanted to tell you, Ann, that I am a history buff/genealogy buff, and was just going through the will of my Buzby ancestor who came to America in 1682. Listed in the inventory were 2 Viols–similar instruments, I believe, to the Vielle you mention in TROUBADOUR’S TALE! That took me to YouTube to listen to both instuments. Now, see what research you’ve inspired? 😉

It’s always fun to learn something new, isn’t it? Viols came a bit later than vielles – I think they date from the 15th century, so later than my Oxford series. Very similar, though viols have more of a “waist” than vielles. Both, of course, are forerunners of modern stringed instruments. BTW, THE STONEMASON’S TALE is now out, both Kindle and paperback.

What Avery timely blog! I have just received my first self published book and am thrilled with it, but am not good at self publicising. I have the second in the series written in draft form and know now to press on..and if I don’t shout for myself, then who will? Get on with it, girl..and thank you for the blog.

That’s the spirit, Rosie! Try out the various avenues for marketing, but keep a sharp watch on what’s working and don’t spend too long on it. Much more important to finish the second and plan the third. Good look!

I hope you’ll share how you organize your writing and publishing schedules — if you haven’t already. I’d love to read your insights on how you decide how many books in each series will be published in a year, when they are published, how much time is allotted for writing, editing, and the like. I’m so looking forward to The Stonemason’s Tale!

I’m so looking forward to reading The Stonemason’s Tale! I’ve been away from home for the last two days, otherwise I’d have started reading already. Home now, ready to dive in to medieval Oxford – what a treat in store! Thank you, Ann, I hope you are feeling miles better by now.

Thank you, Ann – yes, I’ve read The Stonemason now and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s so good to hear more about the lovely people in Oxford, especially Nicholas of course, but also Margaret, Emma, Beatrice, and so many others. Your children are so touching, too, and I did shed a tear for little Piers. Now there will have to be a sequel, won’t there, so we find out what happens after Easter with Emma and Nicholas!

I read the Kindle edition and noticed a couple of typos, which may be outside your control. The most important was near the end, when Cedric says that the de Musgrave name might be tarnished by the actions of Sir Anthony – I think it should be Sir Thomas? There were four more very minor ones.

The insight into the stonemason’s art gives the story great authenticity, as well as the details of the food, the medical care available (or not available) at the time, the difficulty of communication over long distances, and the complications and unfairness of the social hierarchy.

I’m delighted you enjoyed it, Rosalind, and you understand what I’m trying to do in my historical fiction. I’m not trying to write fast action hyped up crime novels, but something more thoughtful. Thanks for the heads up on the typo. It doesn’t matter how many times however many people read a text, something is always missed! If you’ve made a note of the minor typos, do send them to me, as I can get them fixed eventually. My email is ann[dot]swinfen[at]annswinfen[dot]co[dot]uk. I’m writing it this way so it can’t be picked up by internet trolls! Yes, there will be another, after I’ve had a brief break.

I only just discovered your books this summer and have now read all of the Oxford series. Loved it! I am a history buff and my husband’s favorite hobby is genealogy. We are planning another trip to England and want to include Oxford in our rambles. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about the daily lives of Nicholas and his friends. I hope there will be another book in this series! So sorry that you have been ill. I hope you are completely recovered soon.

Hi, Allelia – what a pretty name! I’m delighted to hear that you’ve been enjoying the Oxford series. Philip Battley has just started recording The Stonemason’s Tale, so I’ll wait until I’ve edited the audio files before I start writing the next book in the series. Barring accidents, it should be out before the end of the year. I’m fully recovered now, thanks! Yes, do visit Oxford. Many of the buildings date back to Nicholas’s time or soon after, and the main street plan is the same, although many of the small streets and tiny alleyways were built over as the colleges expanded. The area of miserable hovels north of St-Peter-in-the-East was pulled down toward the end of the 14th century, when New College was built. If you are planning to travel around by car, do NOT try to drive in Oxford – it’s impossible to park! Use Park and Ride on the outskirts. A good place to eat in the centre of town is the Vaults & Garden cafe on the High – housed in one of the oldest buildings in Oxford (c.1320), originally the Old Congregation House of the university. North of Oxford is the Trout Inn, already old in Nicholas’s day (though the present buildings date from the 17th C), just across the river from the ruins of Godstow Abbey, where Emma was a novice. Easily accessible by car, plenty of parking, but very busy, so wise to book. I first visited it at the age of 14 for a cream tea after a tour of Oxford for Latin students with our teacher!